Softbank to give away iPhones

Japanese consumers to be tempted with handsets for free


27 February 2009 11:28 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Softbank, the exclusive mobile phone operator for Apple's iPhone in Japan, is to start giving away the touchscreen phones for free.

Amid muttered suggestions of poor sales in a highly sophisticated phone market, Softbank will now offer the 8GB iPhone 3G for free on a 2-year contract. The company was charging 23,040 yen - around £166.

The 16GB model will still demand a premium - but this has been reduced from £249 to £83. In addition, the monthly charge for internet access via the handset has been reduced.

O2, the official iPhone operator in the UK, revealed this week that total sales for the iPhone in the UK - both the original and 3G version - have only just hit the 1million mark in over 16 months of sales.
Related
Full tags
Phones, Softbank, iPhone, Apple, Tariffs

share print story pdf email story

Recommended articles

Search

Loading

Follow

Best iPad 2 apps

We detail the best iPad 2 and iPad apps in the app store Which iPad app should you download?

Windows 8

All the features and details of the new Microsoft operating system explained What's new in Windows 8?

iPad 3 rumours

What comes next? We look at the possible features, leaks, images, specs and more

Pocket-lint poll

Q. Will you be buying a PS Vita?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Will Samsung be making a mistake if the Galaxy S III isn't shown at Mobile World Congress in February? 51% said yes and 49% said no